LESSON 19: PENTECOST: LEARNING ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT.
VOCABULARY: Holy Spirit, forgive, witness, apostles, disciples, crowd, repent,
STORY: One day there were a bunch of Christians celebrating the end of the grain harvest. It (would later be) called the Pentecost. It was a special day for them to celebrate and thank God for their crops. That day a bunch of Christians and disciples came together to thank God when suddenly they heard a sound like the blowing of a strong wind. This sound came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. After this wind, the people were filled with the Holy Spirit. They all began speaking in different languages. When the people heard them all speaking in different languages, they couldn’t believe it. Everyone around heard their own language being spoken. The people couldn’t believe what was happening and thought that the people were crazy or drunk. But Peter stood up and explained to the crowd that had formed that they were not drunk or crazy. Peter explained that it was God and the Holy Spirit. He explained that everyone should repent so that they can be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit. He explained that to receive the Holy Spirit we must accept Christ. And once you receive the Holy Spirit, He never leaves you.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: One day there were a bunch of Christians celebrating the end of the grain harvest. (What were they celebrating?) It was called the Festival of Weeks. (What is it called?) It was a special day for them to celebrate and thank God for their crops. (What did they do?) That day a bunch of Christians and disciples came together to thank God when suddenly they heard a sound like the blowing of a strong wind. (What did they hear?) This sound came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Where did the sound come from?) After this wind, the people were filled with the Holy Spirit. (What were they filled with?) They all began speaking in different languages. (What happened to them?) When the people heard them all speaking in different languages, they couldn’t believe it. (How did people feel?) Everyone around heard their own language being spoken. The people couldn’t believe what was happening and thought that the people were crazy or drunk. (What did people think?) But Peter stood up and explained to the crowd that had formed that they were not drunk or crazy. (What did Peter say?) Peter explained that it was God and the Holy Spirit. (Who was it?) He explained that everyone should repent so that they can be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit. (What did Peter want everyone to do?) He explained that to receive the Holy Spirit we must accept Christ. And once you receive the Holy Spirit, He never leaves you. (Does the Holy Spirit ever leave you?)
ACTIVITIES:
- Review the Vocabulary Words. Have the students write the words and draw a picture in their notebooks.
- Listen to Audio 1 as you read the story.
- Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read the story and answer the questions.
- Discuss Who the Holy Spirit is and how the Holy Spirit helps us.
- Explain to the group that the Holy Spirit helps us in many ways. He comforts us, teaches us, helps us grow in our relationship with God and gives us strength to get rid of bad habits in our lives. He also gives us power. He helps us know right from wrong.
- Have students answer the following questions:
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- Who is the holy spirit? What does the Holy Spirit help us do?
- Who gives us the Holy Spirit to help us?
- What is God’s special book?
- Who are the Apostles?
- What did the Holy Spirit give them?
- What do you need to do to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
- What do we do with the power of the Holy Spirit?
- Can we see the Holy Spirit?
7. End class in prayer.